Rupp: Deadline Approaching for Governor to Act on Legislation

When the 2011 legislative session concluded, there were 46 Senate bills and 101 House bills passed by the Legislature. Since session ended on May 13, several beneficial bills have been signed by the governor, including measures that will continue our valuable Missouri Rx program, which assists low-income seniors and disabled citizens with prescription drug costs, and phase out the corporate franchise tax, among other measures. However, numerous pieces of legislation are waiting on a stamp of approval, and the governor has until July 14 — 45 days after the constitutional end of session — to sign or veto these bills.

Two bills that I would like to see signed into law are my co-sponsored SB 65, and HB 213 — identical acts that would prevent late-term abortions in our state. These bills are crucial to protect life in Missouri and would allow viable babies the chance to live and prosper. Fortunately, our state has solid laws concerning abortion and women are encouraged to seek alternative options to abortion, but these bills would support life on an even greater level and would prevent unborn babies from facing a sad and horrible fate.

Under the legislation, the abortion of a viable baby of a gestational age of 20 weeks or more would be prohibited, unless the baby is unable to survive outside of the womb or if the life of the mother is in danger. If the unborn child is 20 weeks or more, not determined viable, and an abortion is performed, the doctor would be required to submit a report to the Department of Health and Senior Services. Any physician who doesn’t abide by the provisions of the bill would face a Class C felony, and physicians who plead guilty to or are convicted of performing an abortion in violation of this act could face having their medical license in Missouri suspended for three years. Hospitals would need to abide by the act as well, or risk having their licenses revoked. If signed by the governor, both bills would go into effect on Aug. 28.

I hope you will join me in supporting these two bills. You can keep track of the governor’s actions on bills passed by the Legislature by visiting the Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov, and clicking on “Governor’s Action on Truly Agreed Bills” under the Legislation tab. As always, please feel free to call my office if you have any questions about your government. Thank you and God bless.